University Museums

Christian Petersen Art Collection

Christian Petersen created more than 1,250 known works of art during his lifetime, and nearly 80% of his sketches, drawings and sculptures are included in the Christian Petersen Art Collection at Iowa State. Christian Petersen was sculptor in residence at Iowa State for twenty one years, from 1934 to 1955. Petersen originally came to Iowa at the invitation of artist Grant Wood during the Great Depression to participate in the federal Public Works of Art Projects for Iowa State and stayed to make a permanent and lasting impression on the campus landscape.